Residents will pick up over 28,000 trees at the Isanti County Fairgrounds this spring to plant at their own properties. That averages to one tree for three out of every four Isanti County residents.
Some trees are not yet spoken-for. The annual effort by the Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District aims at improving wildlife habitat and beautifying the landscape. 
Popular offerings include evergreens for privacy, smaller flowering trees for color and to attract birds, and fruiting trees, especially apples including the appealing Honeycrisp. Others are hard-to-find Minnesota icons like balsam fir, birch and tamarack. In total, 44 different tree and shrub species are available. The Conservation District focuses on native species with wildlife habitat value.
“Planting trees is one simple thing that every property owner can do to beautify their property and help out wildlife and water quality,” said Isanti SWCD Manager Tiffany Determan. “Whether it’s a small backyard or old field, it’s hard to imagine an easier, more impactful and long-lasting landscape project than planting trees.”
The Conservation District offers advice for choosing trees. Identifying trees that will grow quickly on a particular property is one way they help.
“While it is true that some species grow faster than others, the key to fast growth is to choose the right tree for the right place,” Determan said. Sunlight, moisture and soils are key considerations.
Trees must be pre-ordered for pickup. Supplies of every species will run out, so ordering sooner offers more choices. Ordering can be done at www.IsantiSWCD.org or call 763-689-3271.
The cost is just over $1 per bare root seedling (sold in bundles of 25). Container trees are $11 to $17 each. Six-foot bare root trees are $34 to $38 each. Tree pickups will be on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Isanti County Fairgrounds in Cambridge.